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Office Of Public Affairs

Recognizing Signs of Stroke

Mar 25, 2008 9:00 AM

Knowing your risk for a stroke and controlling what health issues you can is the best line of defense against a stroke, the nation’s third leading cause of death. Elaine Skalabrin, M.D., neurologist and director of University Health Care’s Stroke Center, says controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, managing diabetes and heart disease, along with not smoking can reduce the risk of a stroke. 700,000 people suffer a stroke each year, so it’s important to recognize the warning signs.

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, Skalabrin says to call 911 immediately. “Strokes need to be treated as medical emergencies,” she says.